Other News

Marion Knox Barthelme Fort:On March 22, Marion Fort died after a long battle against cancer.Born in Maryland, she received a BA from the University of Wisconsin and a MA in History from Rice in 1994.She was “passionate about reading, writing, and the visual arts, and was vibrant, engaged, and tireless in promoting and developing these art forms here and elsewhere". Click here for the New York Times obituary.

Guy Jackson '71:Guy Jackson, a principal of Jackson & Ryan Architects, has been selected as the Decorative Center Houston 2011 “Star of Design” winner for Lifetime Achievement.The awards ceremony will be held on April 27.

Roger Martin (1927 - 2011):On March 22, Roger Martin passed away. A native Texan, he graduated from Rice in 1945. After military service from 1952-4, he lived in the Tomball area for over 40 years where he was active in his church and in civic service.Click here for the Chronicle obituary.

A Message from Chris Kolkhorst:“ I am pleased to announce that the lessons I learned on the ball field are now being applied everyday to grow our new business Kolkhorst Insurance Agency.We hustle, we compete, we hate to lose, we out-work our competitors and if someone wants to throw us inside, we aren’t getting out of the way.

We are a family insurance agency with an intense focus on customer service.My sister Mandy Kolkhorst handles anything related to personal insurance.Homeowners, auto, flood, motorcycle, boat, umbrella, life, etc…from starter homes to mansions in River Oaks and everything in between.Robin Smith runs our commercial department and she brings 35 years experience with her.We work with all types of business from start-ups to some of the larger companies in town.

Herbert Sutton (1928 - 2011):On March 19, Herbert Sutton passed away. A native Texan, he graduated from Rice in 1949.After military service in Korea, he was involved in the construction business and in a variety of businesses with his family.Also, he obtained Master Gardener status. Click here for the Chronicle obituary.

Annie Ray Watkin Hoagland Strange (1915 - 2011):As previously reported, Annie Ray Watkin Hoagland Strange passed away on March 21. The daughter of the late William Ward Watkin, she earned an undergraduate degree from Rice in 1936 and a Master’s Degree in Art History at Rice in 1943.Click here for the Chronicle obituary.

Martha Ann Hines (1918 - 2011):On March 22, Martha Ann Hines passed away. A fifth generation Texan, she graduated from Kinkaid (as the valedictorian of the first graduating class) and from Rice in 1939.She was a lifelong student of ballet and modern dance, she enjoyed gardening and she was active in her church. Click here for the Chronicle obituary.

Lorena Steakley (1919 - 2011):On March 20, Lorena Steakley passed away. A native Houstonian, she graduated from Rice in 1940.She was the first female real estate broker in Montgomery County and the first female Real Estate board president in Texas in January 1962. Click here for the obituary.

Guy T McBride Jr (1919 - 2011):On Monday, Guy T McBride passed away. A native of Austin, he graduated from the University of Texas in 1940 and received a Doctorate in Science from MIT in 1948.At Rice, he was an associate professor of Chemical Engineering, associate dean and Dean of Students (1950-58).Later, he was President of the Colorado School of Mines (1970-84). Click here for the obituary.

John Meyer (1925 - 2011):John Meyer passed away at the age of 85 after an extended battle with melanoma. A native Nebraskan, he graduated from Rice in 1945.After military service, he spent his career in the construction business.“His desk is finally cleared.” Click here for the Chronicle obituary.

Margaret H "Peggy" Ley (1939 - 2011):On March 18, Peggy Ley passed away at the age of 72. A native of Illinois, she earned a BA degree in English and History from Bucknell in 1960, a MBA from Harvard and a law degree from the University of Houston. She “focused her life work on helping those in need, particularly children and adults with learning difficulties due to dyslexia and AD/HD”.Also, she served Rice in an advisory role.She is preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, the late Robert M. Ley and his father Wendel D. Ley.Click here for the Chronicle obituary.

Mary Margaret Kempe Mut (1926 - 2011):On March 8, Mary Mut passed away at the age of 84. A native Houstonian, she graduated from Rice in 1945.She was an accomplished painter and a devout Catholic parishioner. Click here for the Dallas Morning News obituary.